The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Vijayawada News : Readers' Mail

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 31, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

Readers' Mail

Cramped seats

in train

Sir, _South Central Railway (SCR) has changed the seating pattern in the Satavahana Express recently. It is inconvenient and uncomfortable. One has to sit tightly throughout the travel. There is no space even move slightly SCR has turned commercial and is only concentrating on earning more. Its aim seems to be - Make travel less comfortable and earn more money. It is hoped that the SCR authorities would take steps to revert to the old system of roomy compartments at least in super fast express trains. SCR is already charging heavily from public by collecting surcharge in respect of super fast trains. The Satavahana express from Vijayawada to Secunderabad reaches its destination in five-and-a-half hours. This is why people prefer this train. A surcharge of Rs. 10 is being collected from travellers apart from the fare.

V. Rama Krishna Kumar,

Vijayawada

Monitoring

of RTC buses

Sir, _Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (RTC) is operating many services between Vuyyuru and Vijayawada. But the travelling public are unable to utilise these services fully due to lack of proper monitoring. There is an unhealthy competition within the RTC -- competition between services belonging to different depots. In the present route, the Avanigadda, Machilipatnam and Vijayawada depots vie with each other to attract public. In the process, they forget about providing comfortable services. Proper time is not maintained. The buses come in a row and leave, then the long gap. The RTC authorities are requested to ensure strict monitoring to enable passengers utilise these services fully.

L. V. S. Kameswara Rao,

Vijayawada

HIV tests welcome

Sir, _The Government's decision to make HIV/AIDS tests mandatory for brides and bridegrooms before their marriage is good. It is also advisable to extend the same norm to candidates selected for jobs in different fields. Similarly, an annual health check-up may be conducted for appointees and if found HIV positive, their services should be terminated. This should be made part of the service conditions.

H. Kalyana Rao,

Guntur

Allotment of

house sites

Sir, _The State Government decision to distribute one lakh acres of land to the SCs and STs on Republic Day is laudable. At the same time, it should not be misused to the extent of damaging the local eco-system. In the name of house sites, village tanks, poramboke lands, grazing lands and forestlands are being converted into colonies. But how many of the original allottees are staying there? For example, in Yanadi Colony and Sampathnagar Colony in Chirala not even 25 per cent of original allottees live there. They reportedly sold away the sites and houses. It is alleged that some weaker section people are faking claims, securing a patta in a colony and then disposing off the same only to make a similar claim in another colony. ID cards should be issued to avoid this. Despite the talk of so many schemes having been launched to fight poverty, nearly 50 per cent of population is still below poverty line. The schemes do not reach the needy. Why? And who is responsible?

N. Appa Rao,

Chirala

Appointment of Vice-Chancellor

Sir, _The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, deserves all appreciation for giving due importance to seniority in appointment of Vice-Chancellors to Sri Venkateswara and Padmavathi Mahila Universities in Tirupati. It is a noble gesture since bringing outside people has been totally dispensed with. The present incumbent of Andhra University is going to demit office shortly. The ignominious treatment meted out to the V-C on the campus is a well-known fact. Because of this, the image of this glorious university has been besmirched. In view of these circumstances, the Chief Minister should use his good offices to select a worthy person from senior faculty for the VC's post and launch efforts to regain its lost glory.

I. Subash Samuel,

Ulavapadu

Cockfights

Sir, _It seems several public representatives including Members of Parliament and MLAs are behind organising cockfights. But for their support from behind the scenes, one will not be able to conduct such banned events.

There are reports with their alleged support, some people are organising several other dangerous games. When this is the situation, one may ask -- Why should there be a ban on such events? Many times the police are in a tight spot as they are unable to enforce ban due to political patronage.

Md. Nazeeruddin,

Eluru

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